I think I need to have a goal

Last year we had an extremely mild winter, and I pretty much rode all winter. I was also training for a century ride at the end of May. It finally got warm here and just started riding again. Just completed my 5th ride of the year for 92 miles total, compared to almost 1300 miles byt the end of April last year. I think I need to set a goal again, without it there was no need to ride when the temps were below 40. I didn't even get out the trainer once this winter. Longest ride so far this year was only 30 miles. Going to try a fairly flat 40-50 today.

I'm trying to balance goals with no goals. Once a week I ride my personal TT for 18 mi. just to see how I improve over the season. And, I am also trying to average 100 mi. a week. On club rides and rides with my gf my "goal" is to forget about goals and just have fun. I need both approaches.

I'm trying to balance goals with no goals. Once a week I ride my personal TT for 18 mi. just to see how I improve over the season. And, I am also trying to average 100 mi. a week. On club rides and rides with my gf my "goal" is to forget about goals and just have fun. I need both approaches.

The same GT Outpost Mountain bike I've been riding since 1996, although I modify it throughout the year for commuting, touring, and recreational riding. I also have a collection of cruisers, folders, and some antiques.

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I've had the same kind of Spring as the OP, so far. Although I commute a few miles to work each day (weather-permitting) from now until October, that's not much of a goal. That's why I plan at least one overnight ride every summer. I started daydreaming about THIS summer's ride the day I put my bike away last November. However, the first time I took the bike out a few weeks ago, I could barely get around the block, and I wondered how I was going to pedal all those miles in July. Now, getting back in shape for that ride is my "goal." After the invigoration of my summer overnighter, hopefully, I won't need a goal again...until next year. Am I making sense, or just babbling again?

Papa Tom

"I just need a rest...and by 'rest' I mean a really long bicycle ride."

I find participating with my club in the National Bike Challenge to be a good motivator. Also, I signed on to a pledge to ride all 30 days of April and I'm getting ready for my 29th consecutive day's ride today.

I find participating with my club in the National Bike Challenge to be a good motivator. Also, I signed on to a pledge to ride all 30 days of April and I'm getting ready for my 29th consecutive day's ride today.

I have a friend that is participating (I found out too late). He will pass 900 miles for the month today.

Cycling is an addiction that is worth having; let's go!! South TX Randos www.rgvrandos.org

Just freeze your car keys in a block of ice, or put them into a bank vault. That will be all the inspiration you need to go cycling.

"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London

Originally Posted by Bjforrestal

I don't care if you are on a unicycle, as long as you're not using a motor to get places you get props from me. We're here to support each other. Share ideas, and motivate one another to actually keep doing it.

...I think I need to set a goal again, without it there was no need to ride...

Over in the Clyde/Athena sub-forum, there is a month-long thread every month where people set their goal at the beginning of the month, then throughout the month, they post their ride results and how close they are to their goal. It's sort of a way of being held accountable ... but nobody every gets on anybody else for not reaching their goal. It is very friendly and they are very supportive of each other. I had thought it would be nice to have the same thing here in the 50+ sub-forum.

A new month starts in a few days. Feel free to post a monthly goal in the new thread. Nobody will care if you are or are not a clyde/athena.

I have a sheet printed out and posted on the bulletin board in front of my computer. It shows my yearly goal, divided out to a monthly goal, and further sub-divided into a weekly goal. It is a constant reminder to me. (We've had a very cold winter, and I am way, way behind in my yearly goal. Looking forward to the end of school in a few more weeks so that I can ride in the evenings. I'll catch up by mid-summer.) My personal goal is not just mileage, but also climbing feet. It would be very easy to reach mileage goals, but then I wouldn't be pushing my body. Climbing is hard work, (for me), and having a climbing goal reminds me that I need to push myself.

Deut 6:5

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"Ha ha! You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders - The most famous of which is 'never get involved in a land war in Asia'".
- Vizzini during his "battle of wits" with the Man in Black